The present invention relates to improvements in attachments for pumping apparatus and has reference more particularly to a sand and scale trap to be placed above a cylinder 5 pump for the purpose of preventing' rust, sand or other solid particles from entering into the cylinder to interfere with the proper operation of the pump. Y

One of the important objects of the present i invention is to provide a sand trap that can be readily and easily attached without necessitating any alterations to the parts of the pumping mechanism with which the trap is adapted to be associated. f

A further object is to provide a sand and scale trap of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive,l

strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose :tor which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages ot the invention will become apparent from the following description lwhen taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the sandtrap embodying my invention, showing the manner in which the same is associated with a pumping unit.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through theV sand trap.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken approXimately on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 looking downwardly. y Y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sec* tional view showing the slidable valve in its normal position for rest upon the valve seat.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the longitudinally slotted cylindrical shell :torming a salient part of the present invention, and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail of a cylinder liquid pump with which the present sand trap is adapted to be associated.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invent-ion, the numeral l designates generally a liquid pump ot any well "o known construction for use in pumping the longitudinally extending slots `14 that wells. The pump includes a cylinder 2 within which is operable a piston 3, the same being secured on the lower end of an elongatedv plunger rod 4 that extends upwardly through pipe sections or tubing in the manner also well known in the art.

A closure cap 5 isprovided for the open upper end ot the cylinder 2, and threaded within a central opening provided in this cap is the lower end of a relatively short nipple 6 through which nipple the Aplunger rod 4 extends as suggested very clearly in Figure 6.

My improved sand and scale trap comprises a cylindrical casing or barrel 7 that is open at its respective ends, and threaded in V the lower end of the vertically disposed cylinder or barrel 7 is an internally and externally threaded collar 8, the same being formed with an internally threaded reducedl extension 9 on the bottom face thereof for receiving the upper end ot the threaded nipple 6 as shown in Figure 2. A closure head l0 is threaded in theupper end ot the barrel 7 and this closure head is formed with a centralopening, the upper end portion of which is threaded for connection with the lower end of the upper section of the well tubing 1l, and through which the plunger rod 4 is operable. i

A section of tubing of substantially one-` halt the length of the barrel or casing 7, and of an outer diameter equivalent to the diameter of the threaded bore of the collar A has its lower end threaded in the upper portion of the bore of said collar so that the lower end of this section of tubing engages with the upper end of the nipple 6 as shown inFigure 2. The upper end of this section of tubing is threaded into the lower end of a cylindrical shell 13 whose outer diameter is substantially equivalent to the diameter of the Unthreaded portion of the bore formed in the head 10, and the upper end of this shell nts within the lower portion yot the bore of the head for engagement with the lower end of the well tubing 11 as also suggested very clearly in Figure 2.

This cylindrical shell which is spaced from the inner Wall of the barrel or casing 7 is formed at equi-distantly spaced points with provide passages for the sand and scale as well as other solid particles into the chamber 15 t-hat surrounds the tubing 12 and the shell 13, and which chamber constitutes a sediment collection compartment.

Forming a salient part of the present invention is the ring-like member 1G that fits within the lower end portion of the shell 13 for rest upon the upper end of the tubing 12 so that the upper edge of this ring which provides a valve seat 17 will be disposed slightly above the lower end of the longitudinally extending slots 14 and this feature is more clearly disclosed in Figures 2 and 4; of the drawings.

Loosely arranged on the plunger rod 4 for slidable movement thereon within the slotted shell 18 is the valve 18 and this valve is formed with conical end portions 19 that are adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 17 of the ring 16.

The valve 18 is not fluid tight on the pump or plunger rod 4, and in case the sand trap becomes full and the sand reaches the level of the valve, the valve will continue to do its work, and in this manner there is ample room in the trap above the valve to talle care of sand that may be inthe tubing, provided a shut down is necessary. When the pump again starts to operate, such sandl will be stirred up and will be forced out at the top of the tubing without causing any injury to the pump.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, that I have provided a sand and scale trap that can be associated with a liquid pump above the same for catching any foreign matter of a solid nature that may be present in or around the pump cylinder. The simplicity of my trap enables the device to ybe inserted as `a part of a pumping mechanism without necessitating any material alterations, and the trap will at all times be positive and etlicient as well as automatic in its operation.

In deep wells, the valve is so arranged that when the plunger rod is pulled, the valve will come within the plunger. Also, the parts of the trap are so constructed as to enable the same to be readily and easily replaced Whenever necessary.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that minor changes 1n the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention,.what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

A sand trap for pumps comprising in com` extending operatively and centrally through the barrel, a sectional shell arranged centrally in the barrel through which the pump rod extends, said shell being spaced from the inner wall of the barrel to provide a sediment chamber therearound and comprising a lower section threadedly mounted in the lower end of the barrel, an upper section of greater diameter than the lower section threaded over the upper end portion of said lower section, the upper end of the lower section providing a shoulder in the lower portion of the upper section, said upper section being further provided with longitudinal slots, a tubular valve seat disposed in the upper section and mounted on the upper end of the lower section and its seat portion adjacent the lower ends of the slots and a substantially conical valve mounted for vertical movement in the upper and engageable on the seat and through which the pump rod slidably passes.